Southampton City Map Poster

About Southampton

Southampton has a large shopping centre and retail park, Westquay. In addition, the city is home to an extensive residential area with many major roads passing through it. The main commercial and logistical area in the south of the city is known as "The Industrial Estate". Southampton's name is thought to have originated from "Suth-stān", meaning 'south farm'. It changed over time in Old English from 'Suth-stān' to 'Hamme', which was adapted into Latin as Hamtun; then later into Middle English as Southampton (the town being at that point referred to by its French name Southamton). In Saxon times, Southampton belonged to Winchester; but prior thereto it had been part of Wessex along with most of southern England. At some point before 1066 a fortification was built on what became Castle Hill overlooking the harbour and close by this fort stood King Harold's house called ""Harewood"" or ""Harold's burgh"".